Hanford Environmental Report - January 14, 2005

Privacy & Security Notice

	Hanford Environmental Report
Dedicated to Environmental Compliance

Volume 27, Number 1 - January 14, 2005

From Washington, D.C.:

DOE AND OTHER AGENCIES PUBLISH THE MULTI-AGENCY RADIOLOGICAL LABORATORY ANALYTICAL PROTOCOLS MANUAL

On December 27, 2004, the DOE, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), EPA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Interior (DOI), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice (69 FR 77228) in the Federal Register (FR) announcing that the Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual (MARLAP) is available. The MARLAP provides guidance for the planning, implementation, and assessment phases of projects that require laboratory analysis of radionuclides. It offers a framework for a performance-based approach to achieving data requirements and it is intended to promote national consistency for radioanalytical data.

The MARLAP provides radioanalytical data collection activities for activities such as site characterization, site cleanup and compliance demonstration, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, emergency response, remedial and removal actions, decontamination activities, effluent monitoring of licensed facilities, environmental site monitoring, background studies, and waste management activities. The MARLAP can be found on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/radiation/marlap. Printed and CD-ROM versions of the MARLAP can be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at (800) 553-6847 or via the Internet at http://www.ntis.gov. For more information, e-mail or call Marsha Beery at (360) 709-0664 with Fluor Hanford's Olympia Office.

EPA PUBLISHES FINAL MODIFICATION OF THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM GENERAL PERMIT FOR STORM WATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

On December 22, 2004, EPA published a notice (69 FR 76743) in the FR announcing modifications to permit conditions specific to construction activities covered under EPA's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit (GP) for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities. The GP is available for use where EPA is the permitting authority in EPA Regions 1-3 and 5-10. EPA is modifying the permit to include:

Revisions that clarify that only sites covered by this permit can be subject to noncompliance with the permit;
Revisions that correct typographical errors in the permit; and
Revisions in the fact sheet to correspond with changes as described in the first two bullets above.

Coverage under the GP authorizes the discharge of storm water from construction activities consistent with the terms of the permit. The permit modifications will become effective January 21, 2005. The GP and accompanying fact sheet are available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/cgp. For more information, email or call Digambar_G_Raja_Ranade@rl.gov at (509) 376-9676 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.

From Olympia:

ECOLOGY NOTIFIES STAKEHOLDERS THAT THE NEW SOURCE REVIEW FINAL RULE WILL BE FILED WITH THE CODE REVISOR'S OFFICE SOON

On December 29, 2004, Ecology notified stakeholders that the final New Source Review (NSR) rule had been adopted and would be filed with the Code Revisor's office soon. The purpose of the rule is to continue operating the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program with full EPA delegation, to update the NSR to conform with recent Federal regulatory changes, and to fix problems found in the existing rule. The overall goal was to create a state program that would gain federal approval. The major changes to the rule include:

Incorporation and modification of the federal Major Source NSR rules also known as the Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program (PSD) regulations published in the FR on December 31, 2002;
Public notice and internet notice of minor NSR actions;
Changes to several definitions;
Creation of a process whereby the permitting authority can write general permits for air pollution sources;
Updated fees that are charged for NSR;
Change to the Excess Emissions provisions of the rule
Change to the Temporary Source provisions of the rule;
Cleanup of several minor mistakes such as typographical errors.

Several of the changes were identified by EPA as State Implementation Plan (SIP) deficiencies. Ecology has also issued the Concise Explanatory Statement which includes the responsiveness summary of comments received. During the rulemaking process, FH attended public hearings and gave testimony as well as submitted comments on the proposed rule during the public comment period. The final rule will become effective 31 days after the rule is filed with the Code Revisers office which Ecology anticipates will occur by January 7, 2005. For more information, email or call Kirk_A_Peterson@rl.gov at (509) 372-2364 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.

Notice:

Ecology recently announced that it will be holding the 2005 Dangerous Waste Management Workshops in January and February 2005 in various cities throughout Washington; on February 7, 2005, in Yakima at the Clarion Hotel from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and on February 9, 2005, in Spokane at the Mirabeau Park Hotel from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The workshops will cover a variety of topics on waste management, waste designation, container management, and pollution prevention. The cost of the workshop is $55. An online registration form is available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/forms/dwmw/index.htm.

Briefly:

On December 1, 2004, Ecology published a preproposal statement of inquiry (WSR 04-23-039) in the Washington State Register (WSR) to adopt a new rule, Chapter 173-333 WAC, that will establish Ecology's process and procedures to address persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) substances. The 2004 legislature and Governor Locke's Executive Order 04-01 directed Ecology to establish specific criteria for identifying PBTs that pose human health and environmental impacts in Washington and a clear process for developing chemical action plans to address those impacts. Interested parties can participate in the rulemaking by contacting Ecology.
On December 13, 2004, EPA published its semiannual regulatory agenda (69 FR 73786) in the FR. This agenda includes regulations and major policies currently under development; reviews of existing regulations and major policies; and regulations and major policies completed or cancelled since the last agenda.
On December 15, 2004, Ecology published the final rule (WSR 04-24-065) in the WSR amending the Dangerous Waste regulation. Ecology incorporated Federal rules and updated state-only requirements including application of closure and financial assurance requirements for used oil and recycling facilities. The final rule became effective January 1, 2005.
On December 17, 2004, EPA published a notice (69 FR 76465) in the FR announcing that an Information Collection Request (ICR) on Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical and Radionuclides rule has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The ICR expired December 31, 2004. The ICR examines public water system, primacy agency, and EPA burden and costs for recordkeeping and reporting required in support of the chemical regulations. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before January 20, 2005.
On December 22, 2004, EPA published a notice (69 FR 76617) in the FR announcing that the Federally-enforceable SIPs under Section 110(h) of the Clean Air Act (Clean Air Act) are available. EPA is required every three years to assemble the requirements in each State and to publish notice of the availability of these documents in the FR.
On December 22, 2004, EPA published a proposed rule (69 FR 76642) in the FR amending the procedures for validating National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) alternative air emission test methods, rewriting and reorganizing EPA's Method 301 for the Field Validation of Pollutant Measurement Methods from Various Waste Media in plain language plus correcting technical errors and revising the technical procedures. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before February 22, 2005.
On December 28, 2004, EPA published a final rule (69 FR 77637) in the FR amending the regulations that pertain to filing appeals and other documents with the Environmental Appeals Board under the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits. EPA is amending two regulations that specify the addresses where notices of appeal, accompanying briefs, and other documents must be filed. The final rule became effective December 28, 2004.

*FEDERAL/STATE*
	*REGISTER REVIEW*

69 FR 69909: On December 1, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit 10 Information Collection Requests (ICRs) regarding Clean Air Act mandatory recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Comments on the ICRs must be received by EPA on or before January 31, 2005.

69 FR 71391: On December 9, 2004, EPA published a proposed rule to revise the codification of the Idaho authorized program for the State hazardous waste management program. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before January 10, 2004.

69 FR 71471: On December 9, 2004, EPA published proposed rules on new source performance standards and emission guidelines for new and existing other solid waste incinerator units. The proposed rule fulfills the requirements of section 111 and 129 of the Clean Air Act. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before December 29, 2004.

69 FR 73786: On December 13, 2004, EPA published its semiannual regulatory agenda (see briefly, this edition).

69 FR 75309: On December 16, 2004, EPA published a notice inviting nominations to fill vacancies on its National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology. EPA encourages interested applicants to send resumes and qualifications as soon as possible.

69 FR 76465: On December 17, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that an ICR on Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical and Radionuclides rule has been forwarded to the OMB for review and approval (see briefly, this edition). Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before January 20, 2005.

69 FR 76642: On December 22, 2004, EPA published a proposed rule amending the procedures for validating alternative NESHAP emission test methods and other provisions (see briefly, this edition). Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before February 22, 2005.

69 FR 76655: On December 22, 2004, EPA published a proposed rule to allocate essential use allowances for import and production of Class I stratospheric ozone depleting substances for calendar year 2005. The proposed allocation total, 1, 524.58 metric tons of chlorofluorcarbons for use in metered dose inhalers.

69 FR 76617: On December 22, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that the Federally-enforceable SIPs under Section 110(h) of the Clean Air Act are available (see briefly, this edition).

69 FR 76743: On December 22, 2004, EPA published a notice of modifications of permit conditions specific to construction activities covered under EPA's NPDES GP for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities (see article, this edition). The permit modification becomes effective January 21, 2005.

69 FR 76897: On December 23, 2004, EPA published a notice that it will hold a public meeting on January 18, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, D.C. to discuss recent research related to the proposed Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.

69 FR 76938: On December 23, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing OMB responses to EPA ICRs that were filed in November 2004.

69 FR 76981: On December 23, 2004, EPA published a final rule to exempt production and import of methyl bromide for critical uses from the accelerated phaseout regulations that govern the production, import, export, transformation and destruction of substances that deplete the ozone layer under the Clean Air Act. The final rule becomes effective January 1, 2005.

69 FR 76897: On December 23, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that it will hold a public meeting on recent research related to the proposed State 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule. The public meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 18, 2005 at EPA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

69 FR 76894: On December 23, 2004, EPA published a proposed rule to amend the NESHAP for Source Categories: Organic Hazardous Air Pollutants from the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and other Processes Subject to the Negotiated Regulation of Equipment Leaks. Comments must be received by EPA on or before January 24, 2005 unless a public hearing is requested by January 3, 2005 then the public comment period would end February 7, 2005.

69 FR 77228: On December 27, 2004, DOE, the DOD, the DHS, EPA, NRC, DOC, DOI, NIST, USGS, the DHHS and the FDA published a notice announcing that the MARLAP Manual is available (see article, this edition).

69 FR 77637: On December 28, 2004, EPA published a final rule amending the regulations that pertain to filing appeals and other documents with the Environmental Appeals Board under the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits (see briefly, this edition). The final rule became effective December 28, 2004.

69 FR 77754: On December 28, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology will meet in a public teleconference on January 13, 2005 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

69 FR 77972: On December 29, 2004, EPA published a notice that it will hold a public meeting on January 26, 2005 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Washington D.C. to discuss the findings and recommendations in the Situation Assessment Report on Detection and Quantitation Approaches and Uses in Clean Water Act Programs.

69 FR 78003: On December 29, 2004, DOE published a notice announcing that a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board will be held January 27, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and January 28, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Kennewick.

WSR 04-23-039: On December 1, 2004, Ecology published a preproposal statement of inquiry to adopt a new rule, Chapter 173-333 WAC, that will establish Ecology's process and procedures to address the subject of PBT substances (see briefly, this edition). Interested parties can participate in the rulemaking by contacting Ecology.

WSR 04-24-065: On December 15, 2004, Ecology published the final rule amending the Dangerous Waste regulation (see briefly, this edition). The final rule became effective January 1, 2005.

WSR 04-24-029: On December 15, 2004, Ecology published a notice announcing that it has modified the industrial stormwater general permit, a NPDES and state waste discharge GP for stormwater discharges from industrial activities in Washington. The modifications will become effective January 14, 2005.

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For technical questions regarding the subject matter, please send e-mail to: Wayne_E_Toebe@rl.gov